First of all, let me say that I think it's so easy for any of us to walk through life thinking that we're immortal and we have forever on earth to live. Well, life as we know it will come to an end for all of us, sooner or later. As the saying goes, "We're not getting out of here alive!"
Now, if I found out that I had only 6 months to a year left to live, here are a few things I would like to do:
1. I would write heartfelt handwritten letters (no e-mail!) to my closest family members and friends telling them exactly how much they've meant to me over the years.
2. I'd make videos for my husband and daughters telling them how much I love them and how they've impacted my life. I would encourage them to find comfort in knowing that I'm in a better place. I'd remind them that, one day, we'd be reunited, again.
3. I would take a trip to Ireland with my family. It's one place in the world I've always wanted to visit.
4. I'd share my faith with as many people as I possibly could.
5. I'd eat chocolate anytime and every time I pleased with absolutely no guilt! Calories...fat grams...who'd care???
6. I would travel with my family to New York City to see an actual Broadway production. If I were really lucky, maybe someone would allow me to just stand on the stage for a few minutes to soak it all in . If I were even luckier than that, maybe I'd get the opportunity to sing, "Seasons of Love" from the musical Rent. Man, what I'd give!! I wouldn't even care if I got laughed right off the stage!
7. I'd take my girls to Disney World and ride any and every ride they asked me to (yes, even roller coasters!) without saying I was too chicken.
8. I'd smother my husband and girls with hugs and kisses. I wouldn't let a single moment slip by without saying, "I love you".
9. I would seize every second to have fun and to not worry about what others might think.
10. I'd spend much less energy and time wishing for things I didn't have, and more on being thankful for those I did.
11. I'd take lots pictures of my family and I together so they would have those to cling to when I'm no longer around.
12. I would definitely want to see the ocean one last time. Just to stare out into it's vastness has always brought me immense peace.
13. I would stop sweating the "small stuff"...things that don't really matter in the whole scheme of life.14. I'd go white water rafting down the Colorado River!
I could probably go on and on, but I think these are some of the things at the top of my list.
So, what would you do and how would you live if you found out you had only a short time left? Maybe we should all ask ourselves the question..."Why are we waiting?...seize the day!"
22 comments:
April,
What a beautiful bucket list. My husband and I saw this movie and it really was touching. Makes you think.
Happy Thursday to you my friend. And if you ever come to Disney...I'm only 30 minutes away..you have a friend! ((hugs)) to you
Good morning April--I really like your list, it's so well thought out. Like you, my family is so important to me that I would want do spend as much time as I could making memories with them and write letters behind for so they will never doubt how much I love them. Definitely a thought-provoking post!
I haven't seen the movie, but I always remember something someone said, "10 out of 10 people die".
We have a million stats. but we do forget the facts of life...
My goal is to be right with God, and with my family and friends. I keep a journal now for each of my kids so they know how much I adore them...I try to write to each of them once a month.
Loved the video...
I haven't seen the movie either, but here's my take. I think you should do all those things NOW!! Not wait. Why not enjoy your life to the fullest while you are healthy?
I'm sorry I've been such a bad bloggy friend lately.
Happy Halloween.
What a great post...love the Disneyworld and riding the rides..Amen to the chocolate...love it!! I needed this today..this whole election thing is getting to me! I need to "chill"!
-sandy toes
April,
That's a GREAT list! Yes, there are so many things we'd do differently if we KNEW our time was short. You'd THINK that I'd have learned this lesson by now. Still, I let time get away from me each and every day and I end up spending a LOT less time with my children doing things that REALLY matter. (Thanks for the reminder)
Oh, in reading your comment - WOW, you've suffered a LOT of loss in your life too. What happened to your family? If you don't mind my asking. We lost a baby just before Gabe then of course the GREATEST LOSS of our lives was losing Brent. (Other than that, we've only lost grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles.. nobody closer)
Anyway, I wanted to say THANKS for your encouraging words at my blog. It's been a PLEASURE getting to meet you!
LOVE,
Tonya
A fabulous list you got there! Loved it! And making videos to leave behind, this one got me. And as much as I hate for someone to videotape me...I would sooooooo do this too in a heartbeat.
You're precious mom, wife and friend April! So glad you're my friend!
Have a great afternoon!
Your list is great, April. I think the idea of the video and letters is really awesome.
I have seen the movie and it does make one think. I like your bucket list and why don't you start makeing it a priority. I read a book this summer that changed my life and how I think about things. One of the chapters had me to make a list of the 100 most impotrant things, places and people in my life. Then you had to narrow it down to only ten, then priortize them from 1 to 10. I had to compare how my actual life compared with what was deemed so important to me. I wasn't living the life that was really important to me so I closed my hair salon and stay home and be broke and take care of my home and family and I have never been happier.
God bless and I'm gonna maybe put my bucket list on my side bar of my blog. I thnk it is fun to read each others.
Thanks for stopping by my blog today...I'm soooo glad you did. :) I love your Bucket List. I need to think about mine...shouldn't be hard to think of a long one though. :) Ang
I like your list. We just saw the movie a couple weeks ago and it makes you stop and think. Good for you for taking the time to write it down.
Ireland is very high on my list, too!
Oh my word, April,2-1/2 hours is such a long time. You really were great to stick it out. I live in a one of the small towns in our county, outside of Greensboro, that's why my wait was shorter I bet. Though I did drive past the town hall today which is where the voting takes place, and the parking lot was full with the line of cars stretching out into the road, so I bet early voting has gotten much busier as Election Day gets closer. My hat is off to you for sticking it out girl!
I loved your bucket list, especially the letters, video and trip to Ireland! I also watched the song and it made me hopeful. I think music is so powerful. My pastor always said that music was a way to the soul.
Liz started the bucket list on the blogs and you have kept it alive so I think that my next blog will have to be my bucket list.
You have such a wonderful and caring heart!
Laurin
You have a beautiful bucket list April. My husband and I watched The bucket list together and got to talking about it. I have had MANY MANY friends and family pass away. When I was between the age of 17-18 years old I had eight friends and family members pass away so I have never taken my life for granted and live each day like it's my last. I have jumped out of airplanes, ran marathons, did triathlons, hiked mountains,traveled, snorkeled various oceans... You name it-I probably did it-Though none of it brings contentment like a close relationship with the Lord. After talking with my husband we decided we wouldn't change anything but try to get more witnessing in before we left. Having said that there are still goals that I would like to reach like climbing Mt Rainier & writing a craft book- but it wouldn't bother me either if I never got a chance to do these~I just think it would be cool. :)
Have a great weekend!
Robin~♥
I'm back to answer your question on my blog...Yes, marathons and triathlons-Both my husband and I did them in our 30's we even trained for an ironman. I'm laughing because that was in my 30's I couldn't run to save myself right now! Now that we are in our 40's we do a lot of hiking-Better photography opportunities then running. Some day I will run again and I will probably run 1/2 marathons-They are my favorite because you don't have to be fast like when running a 5k AND 1/2 Mary's don't wear you out like running a full marathon does! I haven't ran in years-I still dream about running though.~♥ My husband and I still "talk" about doing an Ironman too. (another goal)
So if you are running 5ks you are my hero! :)
Robin~♥
I'm so with you on the handwritten letters.
Just no worries...um, except for the calories...I'd get fat way too fast!!
What a great blog! Thanks for visiting me today and please come back someday!
Your list made me all warm and fuzzy, and so grateful! The days spent with our loved ones, just enjoying life and the time we have really are the best ones! Thanks for sharing!
And thanks for stopping by my blog, if you hadn't I wouldn't have got to see your wonderful "bucket list"!
This was a very touching post. It seems like you put so much thought & heart into your list!
I hope you have many years to accomplish all of your goals. =)
Thanks for sharing. This type of thing always get me thinking which results in action. Great reminder!
That's a beautiful list! I hope you've calendared some of those things even though you're not going anywhere anytime soon.
One of my best years was when I chose to live like I was dying-- I cut out the negative people and the obligatory things I was doing every day. Thanks for the reminder and the incentive!
That gave me food for thought. Thanks for a beautiful and thought provoking post.
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